What makes hair turn white

The most common cause of white, or gray, hair is aging; however, people's hair can begin to turn gray or white at any age. Gray hair is as healthy as any other color hair; it is simply a different color, because of a loss of pigmentation in the hair follicles. In addition to aging, other factors, natural and unnatural, can contribute to hair turning white or gray. For those who don't like the appearance of white hair, dying is a healthy alternative to restore hair to its original color.

As people age, the pigment cells in each hair follicle begin to die. This process is generally gradual, but happens much earlier in some people than others. As pigment cells die, less melanin is produced in each follicle. The hair that grows out of that follicle is paler in color, and can appear to be gray, silver or white
Generally, the rate at which pigments die is genetically determined. Thus, while there is no specific age at which a person will begin to develop gray hairs, they may be able to estimate when they will start to turn gray by looking at their family history. The majority of Caucasian women begin to develop gray hairs when they are in their thirties. Some people develop gray hairs as young as high school, while others do not begin to develop gray hairs until their forties or even their fifties. Generally, graying is a gradual process that may take 10 or more years from the first white hair to an entire head of white hair.

Other factors

Other factors, in addition to genetics, can lead to hair turning grey. A lack of B

 vitamins may cause hair to turn white. Thyroid problems are another factor in hair

 turning white. Smoking, which depletes oxygen, can cause pigment sells to die

Sooner or more rapidly. Finally, treatment for certain diseases, such as cancer or aids,

may cause Hair to turn white.

Dying grey hair

White hair can generally be dyed to appear to have pigment. Dying hair at home may not

b as effective at achieving a natural look as having hair professionally dyed. As the dye

grows out, hair will once again appear white and need to be dyed on the regular basis.